President Donald Trump warned world leaders Wednesday that any entity who fails to comply with his administration's sanctions against Iran will face "severe consequences."
Trump's remarks, made during a United Nations Security Council briefing on counterproliferation, began by addressing the "one-sided" nature of the Iranian nuclear deal.
"This horrible, one-sided deal allowed Iran to continue its path towards a bomb and gave the regime a cash lifeline when they needed it the most. They were in big, big trouble. They needed cash. We gave it to them. In the years since the deal was signed, Iran's aggression only increased. The regime used new funds from the deal to support terrorism, build nuclear-capable missiles, and foment chaos," Trump said.
Back in May, the Trump administration pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, citing that it was fundamentally flawed. Shortly after, the administration announced it would reimplement sanctions against Iran and warned if any country were to defy the sanctions and do business with Iran, they would face penalties. Some European allies who are still part of the deal are trying to implement mechanisms to allow their companies to do business with Iran.
"Following America's withdrawal, the United States began reimposing nuclear-related sanctions on Iran. All U.S. nuclear-related sanctions will be in full force by early November. They will be in full force. After that, the United States will pursue additional sanctions, tougher than ever before, to counter the entire range of Iran's maligned conduct," Trump said. "Any individual or entity who fails to comply with the sanctions will face severe consequences."
"I ask all members of the Security Council to work with the United States to ensure the Iranian regime changes its behavior and never acquires a nuclear bomb," Trump added.